Monday, December 31, 2007

Bye bye 2007~




Greetings from snowy white Vermont!! The Wee One & I drove to the ILS in VA on the 20th after her school party. We hit horrific traffic at Concord Mills in NC which kept us at a standstill for a good hour. We spent 2 nights w/ the ILS & then drove to VT on the 22nd. We set a new record---12 hours 45 minutes! The roads were nice & clear which helped tremendously.


We've had a wonderful time in VT & have had 2 snow storms, including the one today which has dumped at least 3" at my parents house. I shoveled! For the first time in at least 3 or so years! Tomorrow there may be an amusing story called "Laurie meets the snowblower". I'll be sure to arm Mom with a camera!


The Wee One & I are going to play in the snow after lunch & I will have pictures of that.


On the yarn front I have visited all my favorite yarn stores---Suzanne's (a hat pattern for hte wee one), Backstitches (size 6 dpn's) & Yarn Theory (2 skeins Koigu KPPPM) in VA & Kaleidoscope yarns (1 skein Koigu KPPPM) & NEFAC ( some pretty Noro sock yarn!) in VT. My scarf is about 75% done & I'm going to start my Clapotis for the 3rd time when it's done. I need to practice my P F & B as for some reason I cannot wrap my brain around it.



Here are some of my friends who still live in VT. We had a girls night out on Saturday at Sweetwater's in Burlington followed by a mini-pub crawl in a desperate attempt to find a place to watch the Pats game. From L to R--Heather, Brenda, me & wendi. I hadn't seen Wendi in almost 10 years so it was great that she showed up!
Hope everyone has a safe & happy 2008. I know I'll be happy to see 2007 end as it means we're that much closer to Hunter coming home!
xooox

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

*sigh*

what is it about the holidays that they must be exhausting whether being home for them or travelling? Last year we were home & I swear, I had a list a mile & a half long everyday. Same this year. This week is by far the craziest. I sat down at 8 tonight & literally felt the weight of the day lifted.

My brothers socks have been frogged. No big deal, I'll start them again & they'll be a late Christmas present. I then started the Chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts for the director of the Wee One's preschool only to realize that there was no way I'd get it done by Thurs. am. If I had a day where all I could do was knit maybe but not w/ my schedule. So I will keep it for me & got her a GC.

The Wee One & I made cookies today---she got to help put the sugar, flour, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg & sour cream into the bowl. She also had the honor of putting the sprinkles on the cookies! Now I'm debating whether to make chocolate dipped pretzels for the kids in her class as well. Because you know, cookies aren't enough! It's the holidays!! They (the nefarious "they") drum it into your head that no matter what you've made, bought, done it will NEVER be enough. There's a friend of mine who is still trying to find THE gift for her daughter (she's 3). She posts daily on our message board asking for ideas from people--what was their "WOW" gift for their wee ones, what are they getting their wee ones, what are the wee ones asking for. Because apparently what she's bought thus far isn't enough.

This year I am proud to say I didn't go overboard on the Wee One like last year. Honestly she's got so many toys & books & things that it borders on insane. THINGS are everywhere. Even toys she hasn't played with in a year are now going thru a resurgance in popularity. Her Little People house for example. She found it in her closet & somehow it made its way back into my living room! Never mind that she's got Dora's doll house AND castle & a small doll house for her little polly pocket dolls, now the Little People are threatening to invade again.

So here I sit, watching the Nutcracker on OvationTV (really, Ovation TV. I think I'm obligated to stand up at the end of the show, clap wildly & shout BRAVO. Oh wait, that's another network!). I had debated bringing the Wee One to the Nutcracker this year but decided Disney on Ice was more her speed. She'll be old enough to go to the ballet before too long & I hope she will have an appreciation of it. I remember being pregnant with her & putting headphones on my belly & one of the CD I played was the Nutcracker (it was Christmas obviously!) & she would kick & move during the Trepak & the Dance of the Mirliton. (The year my dance school did the Nutcracker my class' number was the Dance of the Mirlitons! ) She also loved Bobby McFerrin & YoYo Ma's version of Flight of the Butterfly.

So here ends my babble as Clara's dreaming & the Christmas tree is growing. Soon we'll see the Nutcracker Prince!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Knitting? What's that?

I haven't picked up knitting needles in a week & I swear I can hear them crying in their needle rolls! I need to get to work on my brother's socks as they are part of his Christmas present!

Speaking of Christmas, I have 1 present left to buy---a gift card for my other brother & his wife. Woo Hoo!

One of my friends from Ravelry posted this on the Patriots forum. It is too funny!


In order to address the complaints and hurt feelings of the rest of the NFL, the commissioner has adopted 10 new "Special Rules" for all New England Patriots games. They take effect immediately, and are as follows:

1) In the course of an NFL game, if the Patriots go up by more than 31 points, they are not allowed to play offense until the opposing team draws to within one score. (Pats will kick-off after an opposing team's touchdown or FG). Once the team is within one score, the Pats offense may play, but Tom Brady may not, unless: the Pats play with 8 players (including Tom), or the Pats play with 9 players, but 1 player for the Patriots is chosen by the opposing team from the stands. No Patriots linebacker is allowed to play offense, unless that LB is inserted at quarterback. However, Mike Vrabel cannot be quart erback.

2) If an opposing player states "It's like were playing 7-on-5s" (7 offense, 5 defense during practice), such as indicated by Justin Smith, DE, Cincinnati Bengels 10/1/07, the Patriots must take a time out and serve ice cold lemonade or hot tea (weather dependent) to the opposing team. Scones are optional.

3) Once the 31 point rule is in effect, Patriots may challenge any play, but the opposing team gets veto power over the referee.

4) Once the Pats offense is allowed back onto the field (7 pts), for any forward pass the Pats QB must point to the receiver and call out his number BEFORE passing. If Tom Brady is quarterbacking at the time, he must do that, plus turn the opposing team's water cooler into wine BEFORE passing.

5) Belichick must diagram any Patriots play to the opposing defense and ensure they understand exactly how to disrupt the play. This all must be done within the play clock. If this process is not complete prior to the play clock expiring, the Patriots will be assessed a delay of game and double unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

6) Randy Moss must play with 10lb ankle weights on each ankle. An additional pound will be added for each TD this season.

7) Wes Welker is not allowed to have "that crazy look" in his eyes. 10 yd, "crazy eyes" penalty assessed.

8) Tom Brady must immediately stop dating supermodels as he will not be allowed to date anyone that is more attractive then the least attractive significant other of an opposing team member (including coaches). He also must start doing commercials for every product imaginable, especially ones where he chants "cut that meat!"or refers to himself "as a 6'5" quarterback with a laser-rocket arm".

9) Bill Belichick is n ot allowed to be within 100 yds of any infant, for fear that his evil supergenius powers would assimilate such a defenseless creature into the Patriots System. We have already seen this effect on an inordinate amount of chipmunks, squirrels, and 'possum that commit suicide while crossing Rte 1 to reach Gillette Stadium.

10) Patriots must respect all opposing players feelings and apologize for every first down. Touchdowns must be followed by a written a pology and a fruit basket presented with a hug.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

And as I was talking to Hunter online

A knock came on the door & this was what the Fed Ex guy left.












And this is what was inside (the flowers, not the little girl!)

They're beautiful & as you can see the wee one loved smelling them. Of course, after she was done smelling she went "aaah aah aaah chooooooooooooooo"

5 years ago today


Hunter & I were married. He had just come home from 6 months in Kuwait & the threat of war in Iraq was looming. So much so that he was slated to return to Kuwait in less than a month's time. So off we went to the JP's office & at high noon we were married!
This picture was taken a week after we were married & is one of my favorites.
In the 5 years we've been married we've had 3 combat tours, a pregnancy & the subsequent birth of the Wee One, got Libby the wonder schnauzer (during the Invasion) & various other daily trials & tribulations & celebrations.
You know, I wouldn't change a thing!
I love you so much sweetie & am so very proud of you! I'm very lucky to have you as my husband!

Saturday, December 01, 2007

From Amanda Loo Poo Poo (haha)

Amanda posted 8 Gross things on her blog ( including her infamous nickname) so here are mine:

1) When the wee one was 2 weeks old Hunter had to go to the field for a week so at 4 am I woke up to nurse her. I discovered Libby had diarrhea & had pooped in the wee one's room so as I'm looking at the carpet & thinking "I've got to get this cleaned up" the wee one spit up all down my back. Nothing like looking at dog poop while regurgitated breast milk runs down your back at 4 am!

2) When the wee one was a few months old I had her in the stroller to go for a walk & had libby on the leash. Libby found something in the road that she started to eat so I pulled it out of her mouth, thinking it was a candy bar. Um no. Cat poop. I dont think I could have washed my hands enough after that.

3) I love LOVE drinking the olive juice from olive jars. Same w/ pickle juice. I have actually poured some into a glass & drank it before.

4) As a pet owner I have stepped in dog vomit & poop more times than I care to think about. Barefooted, of course.

5) The smell of skunk doesn't bother me.

6) I have eaten carpaccio & loved it. I also love sushi, especially fatty tuna, eel, roe & salmon. Octopus is tough & chewy.

7) Those of you who don't have kids will be mortified by this one but those of you who do will laugh & say "me too!" When I was pregnant w/ the wee one I had morning sickness into week 15 or so. Around week 7 I was in the bathroom saying goodbye to dinner when I hurled so violently that I wet myself.

8) Growing up in VT there were lots of dairy farms. We drove by several on our way to our camp when I was growing up. To this day, the smell of cow manure on a hot summer day reminds me of the drive to our camp.

Like Amanda I wont tag anyone for this but have fun with it!

On the knitting front, I'm making a pr of Men's Grey Socks (Lionbrand pattern) for my brother for Christmas. Our of the men in our family Todd is the only one who truly appreciates handknitted socks. My Memere used to knit them for all 22 grandkids each yr & Todd still has some of her socks. She died in '92 so you do the math! I just CO this morning so I've got a ways to go. I'm using some woolease from my stash (which is the same yarn Memere used) & will try to get another pr to him later this winter.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

This is one for Nancy Drew, or the Hardy Boys


Remember the Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew

mystery series that was on tv in the late 70's? I had such a crush on Parker Stevenson & Shaun Cassidy. Where are they now when I need them?

Take a look at this picture. I received a package in the mail the other day. No return address & a post mark from Keswick, VA. Hmmm, I dont know anyone near Keswick. Lovely penmanship on the puffy but no return address.

So I rip open the puffy & out falls this pretty Patons SWS, a pretty rose sachet & the note pad/stickynote pack. That's it. No note saying who it's from, no note saying "George Clooney asked me to send this to you", no nothing.

So, "Thank you" whoever you are! It was a very sweet gesture!

Monday, November 26, 2007

It does my little heart good. . .

to know that Kate (the mom from "Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC) raises her voice at her kids.

I'm like my Dad in that I have a quick temper. I've toned down my colorful language (at one time the Navy was heavily recruiting me to teach the sailors how to swear.) since the Wee One came along. I dont see swearing as the sign as a limited vocabulary the way some people suggest, rather I like to think that at one point I had elevated it to an art form.

But if I'm tired or sick I can get angry with the Wee One or Libby easily & that bothers me. I know no one is perfect (and not even Kate!) & I know that as a SAHM & a temporarily single parent I'm tested more than people who don't spend 24/7/365 with their child.

I joke that both my dog & child have selective hearing because I KNOW I say "leave the dog alone" at least 298 times a day. The first is usually a gentle "Wee One, please leave Libby alone. She doesn't like it when you put a scarf on her & call her Jesus" True story! She put a scarf on Libby last week & said "look Mommy, Libby eessss Jesussssssss" I just about died laughing.

The 298th time I tell her to leave the dog alone things are ugly. I'm sick of the dog barking, growling, whining & running away & let's be real----a 10 lb dog is no match for a 38lb toddler. If I had a large dog I dont think I'd be so protective of Libby. And bless her little doggie heart---she has never bitten the Wee One. She's a great great dog & if you are considering a dog to have in a home w/ small children, miniature schnauzers are a wonderful breed. They don't shed & are very smart & easy to train & are just so sweet & adorable. But I digress.

The 298th time I say "leave the dog alone" it's akin to what the eruption of Mt Vesuvius must have been like. Of course this usually produces tears & I feel like absolute crap for making my child cry. I shouldn't yell but, *sigh*, I do.

Today my dog Libby was driving me INSANE. I couldn't walk anywhere w/out her being underfoot. The weather was a factor as she couldn't go out for her daily "Puppy Bowl" (fetch w/ the ball on the tennis court) but a 10 lb dog is easy to trip over.

So tonight when Kate got a little short w/ the kids I admit I giggled. She IS human. I love that woman!

The Wee One's ready to go back to school after 6 days straight w/ Mommy. She had her first movie experience today! We bit the bullet & went to see The Bee Movie. It was great b/c there were only 6 people in the theater w/ us. She did great considering there was 20 minutes worth of ads & previews before the movie even started. Yes, I looked at my watch! I can deal w/ a few previews but ads for Sierra Mist, Coke, Honda etc, I can do without those. After the movie we went into the arcade area & rode the train & carousel.

So back to school tomorrow for her & back to the gym for Mommy. YAY!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Happy Black Friday one & all!

Hope everyone is either out braving the crowds or safely tucked away at home smugly giggling about the crowds at the stores.

I HATE Black Friday with the fire of 1,000 suns. Maybe it's from working too many of them, maybe it's the fact that the media proclaims it the busiest shopping day of the year (guess what, it's not! The Saturday before Christmas is. Really. Would I lie to you?!), maybe it's the fact that even I, as someone truly blessed with the shopping gene, won't venture out on this day. I feel the same about shopping on Black Friday as I do about drinking on New Year's Eve. Amateur Day I like to call it. But anway. . .If you ventured out, I hope you got great deals on whatever it was you were looking for!


I made my 1st ever pair of mittens this week for the wee one. They were insanely easy & Im chuckling to myself that I was ever intimidated by doing the thumb! Laugh, it's okay! I was the same way when I did my 1st pr of socks. The idea of turning the heel was very intimidating. When I finally did it I was amazed by how easy &fun it was. Same w/ the thumbs.

The downside of these mittens is that by the time I was done the ribbing on the 1st one I hated the yarn & needles I was using! Same TLC Amore as the Wee One's hat & my lone set of LionBrand DPN's. I never thought I would admit this but I am a needle snob. I LOVE my Addi's & I love my Crystal Palace & Britney DPN's. The yarn just glides over the CP's so much easier. The yarn, being a boucle type, made seeing stitches difficult & as a result, counting rows was tricky. The pattern is easy peasy as they say & I will make another pair (along with a hat to match) in another yarn. The pattern is Child's Stripe Mittens. If you look on my ravelry page you'll find the link.


This is the Party Lace Scarf from Magknits & is being made w/ Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in color #27 (I call it periwinkle). This is for the Wee One's teacher. I originally was going to use this yarn for the Laurie Scarf for myself but then didn't "feel" the pattern as I was knitting it so I switched & decided to make it for someone else.

I'm debating bringing the Wee One to the Bee movie today. I'm wondering if everyone's going to have the same idea & bring their kids too? She's never been to the movies before so I thought an early matinee might be a good idea. We'll see how the morning goes. We may just go to the park instead!

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Disney on Ice






The wee one & I went to Albany, GA (hometown of Paula Deen) to see Disney on Ice, Princess Classics today. I splurged & got rinkside seats---they were GREAT! As you can see, the Wee One wore her Snow White costume & got to shake hands w/ her after the show (we also shook hands w/ Minnie Mouse, Cinderalla & her Fairy Godmother, Ariel & Sleeping Beauty. Mommy got a surprise when the Genie from Aladin jumped off the ice (there was a riser to our left on the ice & sat down next to me (the Wee One was on my lap) & put his arm around me.
The Wee One wanted a Gus stuffed doll (one of the mice in Cinderalla) so when he skated out in the 2nd half she went NUTS. I mean nutty cuckoo! Jumped down off my lap & was jumping up & down waving her doll when he skated by. It was a wonderful wonderful show & we both had a blast.

Friday, November 16, 2007

FO & a great quote


Here's the wee one's first hat of the year. It's the Modified Tam & she prefers to wear it as a regular hat. *sigh* Oh well. I'm going to CO some mittens this afternoon. She's got gloves (store bought) but anyone who has put gloves on a 3 yr old knows mittens are much easier! I used TLC Amore in white for the hat & will use hte same for the mittens.
My ILS came down this past weekend. We had a nice time despite it only being a couple days. So today I was updating my Myspace page & wanted a new quote. I found this one & it made me giggle over something that happened this weekend. The quote is:
The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children. (Elain Heffner O Magazine 2003)
So this weekend the wee one was having nachos for dinner & was allowed to eat them in the living room at the coffee table. Well, a tomato & green pepper hit the floor. MIL sprang into action. I dont want to say she flipped out b/c she didn't really. Let's say her ideas of toddler cleanliness while eating is different than mine. I'm not being critical or snarky---we've joked about our differences & I dont want you guys to think I'm badmouthing her. I adore the woman & am SO LUCKY that she's my MIL!
The wee one is 3 1/2 & sometimes misses her mouth if she's eating in the living room. I'm lax in that department & that's that. I've accepted it & if you can't then I'm sorry!
So I grab a napkin & clean up the cubed veggies. Accidents happen & she's only 3. It's not as if she dumped her entire plate out on the carpet.
So this morning when I was changing my quote & came across the "art of mothering" it made me think of that incident. I want to raise the wee one to enjoy life & look for the good in it---not to be afraid of making a mistake or a mess. We all make mistakes & we all make messes. It happens. Obviously I dont let her spill food all over the place & take an "oh well, la di dah" approach but if something gets spilled by accident I want her to know that it IS fixable & cleanable. Same goes for playing---a few weeks ago she was painting & literally got water color paint from Michaels all over the place. The kitchen table, the chair she was sitting in, on her pants, shirt, stomach (thru the shirt!!), hands, face, feet. You name it, there was paint on it. Do I tell her that she needs to be neater? She's 3 & learning how to use things. No, I cleaned up the table & chair, got her clothes off her, wiped the paint off her & found a long soak in the bath tub got her feet & hands clean. The shirt had to be washed 3x!

Reading the quote today hit home that I want my daughter to enjoy life & realize that there are bumps in the road but there is always a solution.
Tomorrow is Disney on Ice! I dont know which one of us is more excited! It just might be me!! We have awesome seats (on the ice!!) & the wee one will be dressed like Snow White again. Will update & post pics!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Veterans Day


Here's my favorite Veteran (who called this morning!) & a poem that I found.
They Did Their Share

On Veteran’s Day we honor Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back;
some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat;
some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say "thank you" to every wearer.

By Joanna Fuchs

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Halloween cuteness




The wee one wanted to be Sleeping Beauty this year so Sleeping Beauty she was! The costume was worn twice--once to a party last Thurs. with our FRG group & the hem got ripped. So Mommy tried to fix it. Then on Tuesday night we had our neighborhood party.
Again, hem got ripped on the inflatable jumperoo. So the costume is in a ball in Mommy's closet awaiting its fate. I'm thinking about getting a wide gold ribbon & attaching it to the skirt w/ some stitch witchery. My plan was for her to wear this to Disney on Ice later this month (early Christmas pressie) but now she can't. Grrrrrr!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Today is a day I miss Boston

The rolling rally for the WORLD SERIES CHAMPION RED SOX is today. Thankfully I'm watching a live feed but it's just not the same!

Just saw Youk & Pedroia go by & now Dice-K. I missed the Dropkick Murphys giving Papelbon a kilt to wear during his jig as I was picking up the wee one from school (or we were home fixing lunch?) but the video's on thebostonchannel.com so that's good.

I finished one of the MDK slipstitch washcloths for Hunter's aunt---2 more to go. My clapotis has been frogged AGAIN! Interestingly enough, I frogged it the 1st time in June after working on it while watching the Red Sox at my parents house in VT. My Laurie scarf is being frogged because I dont like the way the Elsebeth Lavold silky wool feels on addi's. Interestingly enough, I don't have Crystal Palace straight needles in a size 6. I know---how could this have happened?!! So tomorrow I'm either making the trek to the LYS in AL or I'll order some online.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

DO YOU BELIEVE?!


RED SOX WIN SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anyone going to sing Dirty Water with me?!!!!! Tessie anyone????

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

A Red Sox prayer

The World Series version:

Our Father, who art at Fenway...

Baseball be thy game.

Thy Nation come,

Playoffs need to be won,

On Earth, then on to the Cask 'n' Flagon.

Give us this day, a perfect Papi,

And forgive us our losses,

As we forgive those,

Like Bill Buckner.

And lead us not, into desperation

But deliver us from any losses.

For thine is the Power,

And the Glory,

To beat the Rockies,

Forever and ever....the Yankees suck

A-men!

GO SOX!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Question

How was your experience in the exchange? Did you enjoy the folks you met? Did you just love the bag you received? Please share any thoughts, criticism, and things you loved!



My experience was kind of one sided to be honest. My pal was confused or maybe just needed to get my bag out extra early but it came about 3 days after we got our partners. So I feel that she & I didn't bond & didn't get to know one another at all.

I did enjoy getting to know Michelle & exchanging emails etc during the swap. We're both native New ENglanders & I got to call her a Ma$$hole which made my day & hers. haha!

I did get to know a couple other posters & that was great----In fact they're on my friends list on ravelry.

I liked only doing 1 box & the contest questions were wonderful.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

YES!!!!

Red Sox win the AL Pennant!!!!!!!!!!!!

I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYAijiz7nZM

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A Red Sox prayer

From a Red Sox forum I'm on:


Our Father, who art at Fenway...

Baseball be thy game.

Thy Nation come,

Playoffs need to be won,

On Earth, then on to the Cask 'n' Flagon.

Give us this day, a perfect Papi,

And forgive us our losses,

As we forgive those,

Like Bill Buckner.

And lead us not, into desperation

But deliver us from any losses.

For thine is the Power,

And the Glory,

To beat the Indians,

Forever and ever....the Yankees suck

A-men!
GO SOX!

Monday, October 15, 2007

Can you stand it??


How stinking cute are these booties? I found the pattern while playing on ravelry.
They are Saartje's Bootees & are super easy & super sweet. I started them this morning around 9 ish & was done by 615 this evening. That's with breaks (lunch, potty training for the wee one---we had a set back after Hunter left--ball with Libby, the playground for the wee one, reading stories & chatting with Hunter online).
They're going to go with the Yoda Sweater I made (& finally put some Icord closures on) for BIL & SIL's baby boy due in January. I need to make a hat & may just do a simple 2x2 rib hat to match. I want to make some bibs & washclothes if I have time (shower is in Nov) & if not I'll add those to their Christmas gifts. I'm about 60% of the way thru my feather & fan scarf. I'm going to make 2 more (not as wide for the Wee One's teachers for Christmas. If I dont start thinking about it now I'll never have them done!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I'm in!

I am LaurieC on ravelry. . .

If you're on there as well, please leave a comment w/ your user name so I can add you as a friend.

Or just add me on your own!

*Edited to add* How fun is this site??? I've already got my needles entered & my books! I realized, I have too many knitting books.

Is that possible?

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Today could be the day!

that I get my Ravelry invite!

This is what I get when I do the "invite checker"

You signed up on August 17, 2007
You are #26518 on the list.
512 people are ahead of you in line.
15155 people are behind you in line.
61% of the list has been invited so far

Monday, October 08, 2007

Have I ever mentioned?

That I am a Red Sox fan? Born & bred. There is a picture of me wearing a Red Sox uniform when I was about the same age as the wee one. I admit to a silly (sk)Yankees fascination circa 1978 during the Bucky Dent era but it was a school girl crush really.



That being said, I root for 2 teams. The Red Sox & whoever is playing the (sk)Yankees.



Last night I was rooting for the Cleveland Indians.

Bye Bye Yankees! Sorry to say, you won't be missed!

Back to square 1

Or so it feels after R & R. I sound like a broken record to some of you but I stand by my opinion that the days following the end of R & R are worse than the days following the beginning of a deployment.

TY to everyone for your kind words! They mean a lot, really! Prayers do too.

We're doing pretty well, all things considered. The Wee One tells me several times a day "I miss my Daddy". We've talked about how it's okay to miss him & that he'll be home as soon as he can be & it seems to help. I'm glad she's able to share her feelings as it helps me to better understand her behavior. The next couple weeks are going to be rough ones but we'll get through them.

Tomorrow is school picture day & she's got an adorable little Carter's dress to wear. It was driving me nuts trying to find the right outfit as the backdrop the photographer uses is a fall theme. It's still in the mid 80's here so a typical fall outfit isn't going to work unless I want her dropping from heat stroke afterwards on the playground. Luckily Carter's had a cute short sleeved cotton holiday dress. It doesn't look holiday at all really so that's good---it's light brown w/ embroidery around what i would call the yoke of the dress. Very cute & more than I wanted to pay but I think she'll get a lot of mileage out of it. No, she WILL get a lot!

My MIL gave me a pattern for a feather & fan scarf pattern for my koigu. CO 54 stitches, k 4 rows in moss stitch. The body of the scarf is painfully simple--k2tog 3x, *(yo 1, k1) 6x, (k2tog)6x. repeat from *. last 10 stitches on row yo1, k1 6x. k2tog 3x. Next row purl all stitches. Easy peasy & fun & wont distract you from watching dancing with the stars!

I am back to the gym tomorrow after I mail out my Fall Felted Bag Exchange tote for my partner. It came out bigger than I wanted but is still very pretty IMHO. Pics to follow tomorrow.

So school drop off, post office, gym (30 min on elliptical---my new friend! & weights), shower, pick up wee one from school, grocery store, bank & home again home again. I need to go thru her toys & figure out what she's not playing with anymore & bring it to our storage unit.


Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Bye Bye R & R


R & R is over dear friends. It was lovely but it was too short. I shouldn't complain as it is now 3 days longer than it was the last time he was gone but in all fairness, this deployment is 3 months longer (15 instead of 12). *sigh* But it was wonderful to be a family again.
We dropped Hunter off at the airport yesterday & after he got his boarding pass, made us leave. He's not one for long goodbyes & honestly it's a blessing. I had a hard time saying goodbye & while I would have liked to have stayed & had lunch together or just hung out with him it's for the best that we leave. The wee one declared that she was sad & already m issing Daddy which broke my heart. We had a chat that it's okay to be sad & to miss him but he'll be home soon enough (9 more months) & we'll have to send him packages & watch him on web cam.
Some retail therapy made Mommy happy & then we were home for what I consider the real start to any deployment. Once you're home w/out them, surrounded by their stuff, is when the real time apart begins.
So today we will run a few errands in the am & spend some time together in the afternoon. I have a play doh set that the wee one hasn't spotted in my closet so we may play with that.
I tried to CO a scarf with koigu last night but couldn't. I want either a feather & fan pattern or something lacy but not too mentally taxing. Anyone have a free pattern to share? Or insight to patterns in a book? I was looking thru my One Skein Wonder book & found a few pretty ones but the CO ability just wasn't there.
Off to start breakfast for myself & the wee one. An omelette sounds yummy to me right now!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Thank you Shawnee!!

Shawnee had me for the Halloween Kit swap & my goodie box arrived today!



This is what greeted me upon opening the box. . .







And this is what was in the box! A felted pumpkin bag (too cute) & the yarn to make it. I haven't used the Lionwool & am anxious to see what it's like! We have limited yarn resources here in Columbus (box store #1, box store #2 & box store #3!)----our closest real yarn shop is 35 mi from my house so I use Paton's a lot as it's easily accessible. The Lionwool is as well but I've been waiting for feedback on it! Now i'll know!

She also sent a Halloween magazine, pen w/ hand painted pumpkins on it, scary tape, pumpkin candles, a halloween stamp, note pad & the cutest felted bag which the wee one has claimed as a carrier for her Disney Princess dolls! (will get a pic of the bag in action!)

Thanks Shawnee!!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Contest Question

Q: The colors of fall tend to be oranges, yellows, crimsons, and other 'leafy' colors - what is your favorite "Color of Autumn" and where do you see it?



A: Red is my favorite by far. It reminds me of the brilliant red maples that I used to see. Driving on i-89 in VT is one of the most beautiful drives as the Green Mountains turn a myriad of colors-----with the red popping & drawing your eyes to it.

A couple yrs ago I was playing ball with the wee one & our dog Libby. It was Nov 9th & I was video taping them playing for my parents to see. Off in the distance you could see a maple tree that had turned the most spectacular, vibrant red. That image is burned in my memory!

Sunday, September 30, 2007

FO & the obligatory cute pic of the week!

The Yoda Sweater for BIL & SIL's baby boy due in January '08 is finished! I finished the right front panel & got everything seamed up this am.

I need to get some ribbon for the ties or do an I-cord tie. I was too far into the left panel when I remembered I wanted to do buttonholes & didn't feel like going to the frog pond. Oh well. The cuffs are my own doing btw!

I still need to do a hat, socks & pants as it will be cold in VA wen he arrives. MIL is doing a blanket so I'm off the hook there!



And here I am with the Wee One at the Children's Museum in Atlanta yesterday. She LOVES Alice in Wonderland & they are doing an Alice exhibition. We played with moon sand, "watered" flowers & played in the "dirt" in the garden, went "fishing", & played on the bus. The highlight for me was putting on tap shoes & dancing w/ the Wee One! A simple little "heel step, heel step" but still. I managed to get some shuffles, riffles & yes, I can still do a pick up!!!

The Wee One's highlight was seeing Alice in Wonderland & getting a hug from her! Of course no photo exists, but the look on her face was priceless!

We went by the Perimeter Mall for lunch & a little shopping & then to Hunter's aunt's house to say hello & see her beautiful new kitchen. We got home later than we expected & were in bed by 1030 last night!

Friday, September 28, 2007

We have felting. . .

I finished my bag for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange last night & felted this morning. There is still some stitch definition but after 2 trips thru the washer I think I've got it as good as it's going to be. It's drying right now so we'll s ee how I feel when it's dry.

Hunter is at the mechanics having my car's 60k checkup done. Very sweet of him. It's something that's easy to do w/out a 3 yr old in tow so he's there w/ a book & cup of coffee enjoying some solitude & man talk LOL.

The wee one is playing w/ play doh (one of her favorite past times---actually she loves all sorts of art related things----painting, coloring etc) & I'm about to start a load of laundry. Funny how having one more person in the house adds that much more to the laundry load!

A friend forwarded a blog to me that really made me sad. The author is a mother & feels "trapped" by her responsibilities. I could relate to that when the wee one was very young & I was making the transition from working gal to SAHM. I was almost 37 when she was born & used to leaving the house to go to work every day. The hair was done, full face of makeup, dressed cute, you know the drill. Suddenly (well okay, not so suddenly as I was pregnant for 9 months but you KWIM) I was thrust into a lifestyle where it was just me & this little person all.day.long. A shower became a luxury & if I was smart I'd take it when she was napping. I was SO sleep deprived that first month. Hunter would put me to bed at 9 or 10 on the weekends & stay up w/ her.

When she was a few months old I heard about the MOMS club in town & joined. It was my saving grace. I was out with other women in the same situation as me. There was a small group of us w/young babies & we went through teething, 1st solids, transitioning from bottles to sippies, etc together. Those days of feeling "trapped" were behind me & honestly, 3 1/2 yrs later I can say without a doubt that I LOVE being a SAHM. Sure, I miss having my own income. I miss shopping for work clothes & I miss having an identity other than "Mommy" but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I joke about it when the wee one's having a rough day because as those of you who have been there before know the trials & tribulations of having a 3 yr old. The back talk, the assertion of free will, the boundless energy.

There are days when I feel angry that I'm doing this alone but I know that this deployment will pass. I'm not one of those wives who loses her grip on reality during a deployment or worse---during a TDY. *steps on soap box* If you're an active duty military spouse & cannot handle a month without your husband you've got issues. Maybe I'm being harsh, maybe I'm judging other wives, maybe I'm just plain ol' mean. Whatever. But really, in war time? I'll admit, a month without your spouse is difficult---I've been there MANY times. I've also been without him for more than a calendar year as well. It's part of the territory & apart from a short vacation (going to visit family) I am proud to say that I have NEVER had to run home to Mommy & Daddy because I couldn't deal with the time away from my husband. Sorry, when you marry a military man DURING WAR TIME deployments are part of the package. I've also seen what deployments are like for my husband---specifically time away from our daughter. Last time he left she was 9 months old. He didn't see her until she was almost 17 months & then when she was 21 months old he came home. This time he left an almost 3 yr old with limited vocabulary--he came home a couple weeks ago to a walking dictionary! How could I resent being home with that??? The changes I've seen in her during the past 6 months alone are incredible.

*steps off soap box*

So back to the "trapped" issues. I truly believe that your life is what you make of it. YOU are the one making decisions about your life. We have just 1 child because honestly I dont want to be the pregnant wife w/ the deployed husband. Maybe I'm selfish. I like to think I'm realistic about my skills & my limitations. I like the fact that it's just me & the wee one during this time.

If I were really unhappy w/ my position in life I would look into going back to work & perhaps when the wee one is in school full time I will look into something that offers "mother's hours" as I want to be there when she gets home from school in the afternoon. I want to be the one to taxi her to dance lessons, music lessons, art lessons, sports, whatever activity she wants to be involved in. My Mom tells me that I grew up at 37 & in many ways she's right. Never before had I been so challenged, so tested & so incredibly responsible for someone else.

Motherhood isn't for sissies & it's not for the faint of heart. It's truly the most challenging job I've had & the one w/ the longest hours, the worst pay but the BEST benefits! "Trapped" isn't a word I choose to describe it. I choose to count myself as lucky, blessed & fortunate to be in this position! I feel bad for "trapped" mommy & hope she's able to come to some place where she's comfortable with her position because it's really a fantastic place to be.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Contest

As of this weekend, the season has officially changed on the calendar - but what makes Autumn feel like Autumn to you, and why?

For me it's fall when the weather changes & the leaves turn red, orange, yellow & hit the ground!

Growing up in VT, fall started in Sept----the weather turned cooler after Labor Day, the leaves started to change & fall & it was "sweater weather". I have so many wonderful memories of raking leaves into piles only to send them flying when we'd jump into them. To this day one of my favorite simple pleasures is to "scuffle" through the leaves on the sidewalk. There is something magical about the sound they make & the colors never fail to dazzle me.

One of my favorite things about driving in New England in the fall is seeing the myriad of colors along the highway or along the roads.

It's actually one of the things I dislike the most about the South---fall doesn't arrive until Nov (leaves). It's not uncommon for us to still wear shorts in Nov which I seriously dislike!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Back from the beach


We had a wonderful time in Destin despite Tropical Depression "Ten" threatening the area early in our vacation!
As you can see, the Wee One had a good time! They wound up closing the water on Saturday & Sunday due to strong currents but she wasn't upset in the least----more time to play in the sand! I was sore Saturday night from jumping waves & being hit by them! Haven't felt that way since I lived in Boston & used to swim at Nahant Beach!
We're enjoying our time together as a family & I'll blog more later! On the knitting front---the Yoda sweater for BIL & SIL's baby is just about 3/4th done. I have the back & sleeves finished & am 1/2 way thru w/ the left front. I'm trying to decide whether to do buttons/button holes or whether I'll stick to the pattern & use ties.
My bag for the Fall Bag Exchange is about 3/4 done as well. I was working on it in the car on the way down to FL only to discover that the yarn I had wound that morning was still on the kitchen counter! Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Monday, September 17, 2007

The welcome home pic


Grrr, why didn't he smile?!! Yes, I am wearing 3" sandals (wedges).
Off to enjoy family time!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Going MIA

R & R starts tomorrow when I pick Hunter up at the airport so I shall be absent for a few days, couple weeks, whatever.

Conduct yourselves as ladies & gentlemen while I am gone!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

If you've got any prayers left

Please pray for Fez, his family & the soldiers he left behind.

Fez was one of Hunter's medics. He was a good kid---we had him here for Thanksgiving dinner last year. He was the guy that the others ribbed as they would a younger brother.

In my mind's eye I can still see him sitting in the chair in our living room giving as good as he got from the other guy.

RIP Fez.


From our local paper:

3rd Brigade medic killed in Baghdad

San Antonio's Spc. Javier Paredes remembered warmly by friends, family
BY MICK WALSH - mwalsh@ledger-enquirer.com --


Fort Benning's latest victim of the war in Iraq was identified only by his dog tags.

"That's how they confirmed it was him," said Pedro Paredes, the brother of Spc. Javier Paredes, who died Sept. 5 from injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit during combat operations in Baghdad. "I didn't want to accept it. I never thought that would happen to Javier."

The official release of Paredes' name by the Department of Defense was delayed for several days after they released the name of the other soldier in the attack -- Spc. Keith Nurnberg of McHenry, Ill.

Both were members of Fort Benning's *unit name left out by me* part of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, which has been deployed to Iraq since April 1. They were killed when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the Humvee in which they were riding.
Paredes, a 24-year-old medic from San Antonio, enlisted in the Army three years ago. A graduate of Ingram High School, he had worked in construction and as a dishwasher at a local market before joining the Army.
Family and friends were in shock when notified of Paredes' death after gathering at the home of his aunt, Maria Acevedo.
According to the San Antonio Express, Paredes lived much of his life in foster care.
"Javier was a good kid," Acevedo told the newspaper. "His mother would have been proud of him."

She died in 1999.
Paredes, known by his nickname Niño, lived with Acevedo just before he joined the Army in 2004.

The family described Paredes as a proud, strong soldier who loved his job and worked as a medic.
Gonzalo Paredes, 20, said he was going to miss his brother.
Paredes' best friend, Juan Medina, 21, said he worked with Paredes at the Central Market on Broadway in San Antonio for a few years.
Medina said his friend was a hard worker who washed dishes and did other jobs at the store, often volunteering for night and holiday shifts.
"The day he joined the military," he said, "he called me from the recruiter's office. I told him, 'Niño, what are you doing? You know we are at war, right?' But he said he had made his decision, that he was going to do it and I didn't need to worry. But that's the way he was, spontaneous."
Acevedo said she was also worried about her nephew's safety but told him the day he enlisted that he had her support in his decision.
"I told him joining the military was a bad decision," Pedro Paredes said, remembering that his brother also at some point considered college. "But when he makes up his mind about something, he does it, and he does it all the way."
The deaths of the two *again, leaving out unit name* soldiers brings to 10 the number from that battalion to die in the war. The toll in the brigade now stands at 22.

Monday, September 10, 2007

A Knitting Survey

Found this on Ursula's blog & thought it was cool:


Mark with bold the things you have knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.
Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch

Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk (if a blend counts)
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns (it's on the needles)
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items

Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting (Can't do it--I have to think too much! LOL)
Designing knitted garments (once!)
Cable stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Participate in an exchange
Scarf

Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca (again, a blend)

Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars

Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting

Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking

Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool

Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads

Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere (you guessed it---a blend!)

Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen

Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/arm-warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair (no no no no!)
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Contest #2


1) Post on your blog, and give us SOME kind of secret "Bag in Progress" photo. You could share your yarn before you started, or a close up of your knitting, or the patterns you pondered when you began, or what you're still pondering!
I considered this bag---the Brea by Berocco. I loved the look of it & it fits what my partner described as her perfect bag.
2) Post a link to the blog of one other swapper that you 'met' and have continued to read through the 3-2-1 contact post!
That would have to be KrisW http://knottyknitterkris.blogspot.com/

She's a New Englander, owns the 2nd cutest dog (2nd to Libby) & has a son @ college in VT (my homestate!)

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Weekend Update. . .


Oh that sneaky LeslieJ! About a week ago the package on the left arrives---notice what it says. DO NOT OPEN UNTIL Sept. 4th. Like she's Santa or something.









But I was good. I waited. After all, I'm the F word now. Patience being a virtue yada yada yada.

And look at the goodies she sent me! Some Burt's Bees yumminess, Sockina cotton yarn (I miss making socks & will keep this yarn for myself. ) I noticed it's not MSU colors LOL. And a sweatshirt from the Ellen Degeneres show from her visit in thee spring. How cool! Thank you so much Leslie---you are too sweet!!!

The house has been scrubbed down & R & R starts sometime next week! As it would turn out my ILS are in ATl visiting MIL's sister so we will go to her house from the airport for lunch. My outfit is ready to go as is the wee one's. I've got some cookies (snickerdoodles) ready for Hunter too. All that's left is to clean up the wee one's toys from the living room floor, put clean sheets on the bed & vacuum.

I've been good about going to the gym while the wee one's in school. Ive been taking advantage of the nice weather & walking outdoors as my cardio & have been doing weights in the gym.

If you have any spare prayers/vibes please send them up for 3 of our friends. There are 2 girls in my FRG whose husbands have come home from Iraq. They were wounded last month & are back here recovering. I'm the Helping Hands coordinator for our FRG & scheduled meals for them. On Weds I brought dinner to Hunter's friend Tim. I cried after leaving their house. Next Weds it's for another guy & his wife. They're lucky to be alive & are true heroes. The 3rd was a soldier of Hunter's who didn't make it. We had him here for Thanksgiving dinner last year. He was everyone's (the guys) favorite victim to pick on---sort of a younger brother type. I can still see him sitting in my living room. Remember him (as well as T & N) in your prayers if you can!

Sunday, September 02, 2007

The one where I get all introspective about the F word

Roll your eyes & skip this if you want. Really, I wont be offended!


So I have a big birthday. The F word. People ask me how I feel about it almost daily! I loved my 30's & am really sad to see them end. F word seems old, maybe because when my parents were in their 40's I saw them as old. Most of the time turning F-word doesn't bother me as I really feel that age is just a number. But let's be real, the F word is a lot older than 25. Not that 25 was all that spectacular but the world is still your oyster at 25. By the time the F word rolls around it's expected that you have harvested that oyster already & either have a pearl or have enjoyed the oyster on the half shell. Yum. Oysters on the 1/2 shell. Oysters Rockefeller. Great, now I'm craving oysters. Or mussels at the very least.

*note to self----order mussels next time you see them on the menu. Or oysters.


So back to the F word. No one believes I'm there so why should I own up to it?? I could easily be 36 for the next couple yrs if I wanted to. 36 was nice. I was pregnant w/ the wee one & had her while still 36. It was a very good year.

Really tho, most of them have been good years! I'm very lucky.

So the other night I was putting the wee one to bed & we were having some snuggles after reading our bedtime stories (Meet the Dinosaurs, Snuggle Puppy, The Belly Button Book, Polar Bear, Polar Bear what doyou hear & Goodnight Moon in case you were wondering) & it hit me. What does my age matter if I'm THIS happy?


I have a lot to be happy about. I have a husband who loves me & who is healthy & alive & whole. Recent events here hit too close to home & I am counting my blessings that he's not injured. I have a wonderful little girl who is healthy & sweet & so smart & beautiful. I have a dog who loves me no matter what my breath smells like in the morning! I have a family (parents, brothers, ILS etc) & friends who love me & support me. I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach, a soft place to lay my head at night & creature comforts. My health isn't perfect but I have legs to carry me, eyes & ears that see & hear, a mouth that can get me into trouble & hands that can knit, throw a ball for my dog or stroke my daughter's cheek. We're not in the same league as Donald Trump but we have enough $$ to live on & some to save.

I know I'm getting all Jimmy Stewart/It's a Wonderful Life here but it's true.

I haven't written the great American novel & I'm not a celebrity w/ a TV show (although I admit, I'd love to have my own talk show!) but I have a great life! I'm not at the place I thought I'd be at when I was 22 & starting out in life but man, getting here's been fun (again, for the most part) & this place is pretty damn good!


So, F-word birthday----bring it on!!

You are sneaky LeslieJ

That's all I am going to say! Very. Sneaky.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

That was FAST!

Last Friday I received my partner's name for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange & went to work reading her blog, questionnaire & emailing her. We've exchanged a few emails & I'm about 80% on what bag I'm making for her.


Well I also received a few emails from my upstream partner on Saturday. Come Monday morning I receive an email saying your bag is on it's way! HOLY COW! They're not due until the 1st of October! I haven't even CO yet, much less committed to a pattern & mine is on it's way? You're good JudyB!

So here is my bag along with my goodies---some beautiful beads, a crochet hook, tea, an S & C crochet pattern & some Lana Grossa yarn (so soft!) for the crocheted market bag. Im taking this as a sign that I HAVE to buckle down & learn how to crochet.

Thank you so much JudyB!

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

1st Day of school

Here's the wee one in her outfit that my girlfriend made for her rocking her Dora backpack with her bff Jake the dog.












We didn't do carline today (starts tomorrow) so I went into her classroom with her---she was happy to see one of the little boys from last year's class will be with her again this year. Big hug & a "hiiiiiiiiii *insertnamehere*" followed & I dont think she looked at me again! I told her goodbye & that I loved her & she didn't even look up! I got a "byeeeeeee" which translates to "ENOUGH! You're embarassing me Mom!!!" in kidspeak.

Went to the orientation then off to Walmart for some school supplies for the drive the school is doing for the kids at Our House (the Methodist home for at risk kids in our area), came home, changed & took Libby for our morning mile (we used to do this until the wee one & I got involved in MOMS & started galavanting everyday!) & then it was home again to get cleaned up in time to go pick up the Wee One.

We went to lunch at Atlanta Bread Co. (yum) & then home for the afternoon. I got the lowdown on who she played with on the playground & she gave me the paper apple they decorated today. "For YOUUUUU Mommy!" She is so sweet!

Tonight I'm watching You've Got Mail for the 1, 394,333th time & finishing the 3rd capelet! Tomorrow the wee one goes back to school & Libby goes to the vet! Non-stop action here, I swear!

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Red Kiddie Capelet


Here she is. I've decided that I'm going to do another for Paige's oldest daughter. It'll have the red collar w/ the varigated body.
The plain ol' varigated one will go for Susan's daughter's birthday goodies.
Off to watch Big Love's season finale.

Fall Felted Bag Exchange contest #1

I received my partner on Friday & am waiting to hear back from her. My upstream partner & I have emailed a few times so far!


So here's the first contest:


1. What is your favorite yarn for felting, and why?

I really love Paton's Classic Merino---it's inexpensive, there's a good array of colors & it felts fast. Really fast.


2. Name one person in the swap who is not from the U.S. and tell us where they are from, and link to their blog.

Nicola S. She was my partner for the magic yarn ball swap (wasn't that it?!) this past spring. She's from the UK. http://greengreenplanet.blogspot.com/



3. Find one person in the swap who has a dog, and let us know the name of their dog(s) and link to their blog.


June has a Lhasa Aposo named Maestro. http://agardeningknitter.blogspot.com/


4. Find one person in the swap who has a child or grandchild and link to their blog.

Kristin has 3 wee ones! http://dayinthelifeof531.blogspot.com/

5. And finally, tell us if you like October or November more, and why! (Yea, I know part of September and November are technically fall, but for this question, only October and November matter!)

Living in VT & New England I prefer October because that's when the leaves are at their peak color. Living in the South I prefer November for the same reason. Not that there as many color variations d own here but we do have a beautiful maple tree here that is a gorgeous vibrant red by Veteran's Day!


On the knitting front I am about to BO the 2nd poncho for my friend Paige's youngest daughter. I'm torn about the one for her oldest girl---the 2nd poncho has the same color as the first poncho as the collar & then is a solid color. I'm debating making a 3rd for her oldest girl---it'll have the red from the 2nd poncho as the collar & then the varigated yarn for the body. The original poncho would be nice gift for my friend Susan's daughter who turns 2 next month. Well in addition the Little People she's getting!

Thursday, August 23, 2007

They examined my head. . .


. . .and found nothing! CT scan shows nothing abnormal on my brain so that's a blessing. My next step is to get a neurology consult for a lumbar puncture. Most likely that will happen next month.
This is the Kiddie Capelet I made for a friend's older daughter (she's the same age as the wee one. I have another to make in red for her younger girl. I used some LB Homespun I had in my stash. I love the colors, love how it looks when it 's done but hate working with it! Here's the pattern:
Tonight is the Meet & Greet for the wee one's school. Her teacher is wonderful & I'm looking forward to seeing who else will be in her class. We know of 1 little girl already (they played together last month). I hope there are a couple kids from last yr's class so she sees some familiar faces.
Off to start my 2nd capelet. . .

Friday, August 17, 2007

My "Puffy" came!


Puffy being the Yahoo Monthly Dishcloth Group's word for your swap item plus goodies from your swap pal. My pal happens to live in the same Kentucky town as my best friend Jami! Her husband is retired Army to boot!

She made te Daryl Waltrip cloth in blue (my kitchen is blue & yellow) & sent some yummy teas, note cards, notepad & pen as well as a post card of Ft Knox (she works on post!).

I signed up for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange this week, as my previous post indicates. I have a Noni bag pattern that I had hoped to use for ITE IV but my partner was allergic to wool so that got scrapped. Perhaps I'll use it this swap.

And on a side note, our vacation for R & R is booked! Just waiting for them to cash the check & we will be golden! Now, please, cross your fingers, light a candle, whatever it is you do do & pray we don't have any hurricanes!!!

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange Questionnaire

Here it is!


1) How long have you been knitting or crocheting? How did you learn? or from whom? Officially since I was 8 or 9. I learned from my Mom who learned from her mom. . . I didn't make anything from the time I was in college until Fall '04 when I found a cute hat pattern for the wee one. That's when the insanity began!

2) What was your first felted object, and why did you decide to try felting?
My first felted object was a bag. It is now referred to as the "ugly bag" because I didn't pay attention to how to felt & the nuances of blocking afterwards. It's usable but certainly not my best effort. My MIL told me about felting & again, insanity took over!

3) What are your favorite colors? Any you hate?

I love jewel tones, reds, blues, purples. Not so much of a yellow or orange fan.

4) What are your favorite styles\types of bags? (Long straps? Short handles? Handbags? Totes? Embellished? Plain? Include links to patterns or photos if you’d like – give your pal an idea of what you enjoy!)

Anything goes! I love shoulder bags, totes, small bags---surprise me!

5) What handbag or bag are you carrying today? Do you use a separate bag to carry your knitting?

Right now I'm using my Kate Spade Maddie. I do have a couple differeent bags that hold knitting projects.

6) What other things do you enjoy knitting or crocheting?
Socks, dishcloths, scarves, baby items as it seems I always know someone who is pregnant!

7) What sort of needles do you enjoy working with? (straights vs circs, bamboo vs aluminum)
I love my crystal palace & addi's!!

8) What’s one project you’ve not yet tried but are dying to make?
I started my clapotis in June but had to frog & STILL have not CO again!

9) What’s one yarn you’ve not yet tried but are dying to work with?
I have some beautiful soy ribbon yarn that I received from my spring bag exchange pal that I haven't had a chance to work with but it is BEAUTIFUL!

10) What other hobbies do you have? Do you spin? Sew? Garden?
I like beading & stamping but really only dabble in them.

11) Besides yarn, do you collect anything?
Watches (baume & mercier, hamilton, gruen), Estee Lauder's America the Beautiful compacts, carnival glass & polish pottery

12) What kind of goodies do you enjoy? Sweets? Salty? Anything you hate or are allergic to?
I was diagnosed as diabetic this spring so I'm careful about what I eat. I am definitely more of a salty/savory girl (always have been!) so stuff like flavored pretzels, nuts (cashews & almonds yum!) make me happy!

13) Do you have any kiddos? (Furry kind count!) I have both! A 3 yr old little girl & a 4 yr old fur bebe.

14) What kind of project best personifies you and why? Ooooh, deep question! Let me think on this one. . .Hmmmmmmm maybe a shawl? They're snuggly & pretty. How's that for vain?! LOL

15) What is your favorite part of Autumn? You can also share a special Autumn memory if you'd prefer!
I grew up in VT--Autumn is my FAVORITE season---I only wish it arrived in GA sooner! I dont have a special memory but my favorite thing to do when the leaves have fallen is to "scuffle" through them while walking. There is something magical about the sound rustling leaves make. I've taught my daughter that there is nothing better than walking thru a bunch of fallen leaves & listening for the noise.

16) Tell us 3 things you would do if you won 10 million dollars in the lottery.

1) Put a big chunk into our retirement fund, the wee one's school fund & our vacation fund.

2) Do something nice for someone who least expected it.

3) Shop, shop shop! My koigu stash would increase greatly!! LOL

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Fall Felted Bag Exchange!

The Fall Felted Bag Exchange will be having signups starting 8/15/07. The last exchange was a lot of fun so check out this blog - www.feltedbagexchange2.blogspot.com - and join us!

Very fun!! I did the Spring Exchange & had lots of fun!!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Happy Birthday to my sweetie


Let's just hope he doesn't read this particular entry & see this pic, shall we?!

(this was taken after our community's Halloween party last yr. Obviously the wee one put her tiara on him!)
Happy birthday sweetheart! I love you, am so incredibly proud of you & promise next year we will do something wonderful for your special day!!
I'm working on a dishcloth for my Yahoo group's (Monthly Dishcloths) 3rd quarter swap. The pattern is from Creative Knitting's July 07 issue & is the "Fun to Stitch" cloth. It is fun to stitch too! I have to go through my stash o'goodies & find some goodies for my partner.
Our FRG had a picnic today----it was BRUTALLY hot out. The kids were pouring bottles of water on their heads to cool down. The wee one loved it & had fun playing w/ her buddy J. & his big sister, K. K is very sweet to the wee one & had fun dousing her w/ water! LOL
We were off to Target (on tax free weekend----am I nuts?!) & then home again home again jiggity jig. Tonight's plan is to knit a bit & actually get to bed early. Shush---Ive been doing better about that lately!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

You've Got Mail.


Can I just say how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie? After I put the wee one down for the night I saw it was on one of the HBO channels & caught the last 1/2 hr. When Joe & Kathleen meet up in the end & he says "Don't cry, ShopGirl, don't cry" I'm a goner. *sigh*
I finished the simple 2x2 ribbed hat for Ginger's baby boy & will add it to the kimono & baby bib (left out of the picture). Tomorrow I need to pick up a gift bag, tissue & a card.

Monday, July 30, 2007

ITE IV bag is here from Manitoba!

This is my beautiful bag from Sarah (prairiegirl) in Manitoba. I am LOVING the beaded handles & how cool is this pattern?!









Here's the total haul! iced tea, hot tea, lavender, yarn!, tissues, body spray & a beaver for the wee one!

Thank you so much Sarah! I love it all!!

Saturday, July 28, 2007

A funny


My girlfriend Franca left this as a comment on my myspace page. While men may enjoy it I just dont see too many S n B groups joining this movement!

Monday, July 23, 2007

Out of the mouths of babes

My babe in particular. We were in Tuesday Morning picking up a potty treat (yes I am bribing my child!) & stopped to peek at the yarn in the sale bin. They had LB Incredible which is a pretty ribbon yarn. They used to have a cute toddler sweater pattern on their website & I've considered making it for the wee one.

Well I'm trying to see how much of the yarn they have in this one colorway when she points & says "mommy, ribbon yarn!"

Ribbon yarn!

She knew what it was!! I'm thinking Santa may bring some plastic needles! LOL

Saturday, July 21, 2007

I'd like to thank the Academy & Mary. . .


For nominating me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger! I am honored & in the immortal words of Sally Field "You like me, you really really like me" LOL
I'm nominating LeslieJ, Lacey, Kristyn & Jane as Rockin' Girl Bloggers!!!
Speaking of Rockin', have you seen Rock of Love on VH-1? I admit to watching some of the shows on VH-1--how can you not? They're trashy, require little to no thought & you can knit while the train wreck is unfolding before your very eyes!
Rock of Love puts an 80's hair band spin on Flavor of Love (rapper FLava Flav). Bret Michaels (front man for Poison) wants a woman. And he wants one who will be around for the long haul (suuuuuuuure he does) so he & VH-1 have conconcted this show where 20 something women (notice I didn't say ladies?!) are all competing to be his main squeeze. The first episode was last Sunday & was a glitzy version of Jerry Springer (not that I watch Jerry--I do have SOME standards!). The combined IQ of these girls is in the double digits & I think that Clairol must be a financial backer as I have never seen so many bleached heads in one show! Let's not even comment on the implants! I'm not saying that if you color your hair & have implants you're a bad person. I'm just saying if you color your hair, have implants & are on this show then you're, well, lets not go there!
When they showed the previews for the next few shows I found myself wondering if there was enough penicillin to go around.
On a not-so-related note the wee one's potty training is going well (afraid to jinx it!). Today we're going for a big girl hair cut & for a treat for achieving a potty training goal! I had wanted to start earlier but with out big trip last month thought better of it!
Anyone reading Harry Potter? I admit to never having read any of the books except for on CD in the car. Hunter & I started 4 yrs ago on a trip to VA with book 2 & at one stop didn't want to get out of the car b/c the story was getting good! LOL I'm anxious to see how it all ends. We're going to see the Order of the Phoenix when he's home for R & R.